Vino Tinto e una tortilla español at the end of another long day!
Salud!
Salud!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Today's 20k
So it's shocking to me that in four days my brain can change so much that I consider 20 km a short day!
A lot of this group have been going since France and while this is amazing, 5 days of waking up before its light out and walking all day is plenty! Dad and I are daring pretty well and figured out that it is better to walk fast for 6 hours than medium pace for 8.
The first pic is of four Spaniards this morning in front of us who were all singing together!
We are now in the nicest of our rooms so far and taking a well deserved rest before heading into the "town" for some dinner and vino tinto!
Tomorrow we arrive in Santiago at the cathedral and we are booked to stay at a former Monastery....we're contemplating booking other rooms...our group leader as reminded everyone 4 times that the rooms will be tiny, like cells...I'll let you know!
A lot of this group have been going since France and while this is amazing, 5 days of waking up before its light out and walking all day is plenty! Dad and I are daring pretty well and figured out that it is better to walk fast for 6 hours than medium pace for 8.
The first pic is of four Spaniards this morning in front of us who were all singing together!
We are now in the nicest of our rooms so far and taking a well deserved rest before heading into the "town" for some dinner and vino tinto!
Tomorrow we arrive in Santiago at the cathedral and we are booked to stay at a former Monastery....we're contemplating booking other rooms...our group leader as reminded everyone 4 times that the rooms will be tiny, like cells...I'll let you know!
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Team Betty!
Team Betty made an appearance on the camino today. Pictures to come! However, after 27 km it's quite sweaty!
2 more days!
Pretty sure the feet and legs will hold out but keep your fingers crossed!
2 more days!
Pretty sure the feet and legs will hold out but keep your fingers crossed!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Pass the Bengay!
Just got into Palas do Rei for the night. Tonight's room is better than the first two because dad and I actually have our own bathroom! So Ha! to those if you who thought a Katie-Dad trip meant Ritz's all the way!
That said if we found one you can bet we'd book a room there!
The scenery is beautiful and the weather we've had has been amazing! Very long days with lots of stretching Advil and Bengay at the other end! Both days have been a bit over 20 km, yesterday actually more like 24 and the hardest thing is really just the hours on the feet!
Most of the time we are walking through farmland, and whatever fertilizing methods used in España really brings out all the special notes of manure. We're thinking of covering our handkerchiefs in Bengay for tomorrow to cut the smell!
Ok time for another application and more Advil!
That said if we found one you can bet we'd book a room there!
The scenery is beautiful and the weather we've had has been amazing! Very long days with lots of stretching Advil and Bengay at the other end! Both days have been a bit over 20 km, yesterday actually more like 24 and the hardest thing is really just the hours on the feet!
Most of the time we are walking through farmland, and whatever fertilizing methods used in España really brings out all the special notes of manure. We're thinking of covering our handkerchiefs in Bengay for tomorrow to cut the smell!
Ok time for another application and more Advil!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Blew a fuse...
So I came back to the hotel and went to plug in my phone and instead of charging the whole room went black! Had my fingers crossed it wasn't the whole hotel. When people didn't start pouring out of their rooms and the hallway was lit I figured at least I only affected me and dad!
Just back from an incredible dinner at a local place recommended by our front desk person. Off to bed, buses to Sarria mañana!
Just back from an incredible dinner at a local place recommended by our front desk person. Off to bed, buses to Sarria mañana!
Turn right and it makes a corner...
So obviously our Internet is spotty but we have made it to Santiago de Compostela today. Yesterday in Madrid we fought off our jetlag by walking around the Plaza Mayor and of course find una cerveza!
Today (Tuesday) we woke up early and got to the airport for our flight to Santiago de Compostela. Thankfully only an hour flight because the seats had the opposite of leg room, a lack of air, and plentiful B.O. So clearly those of you know Dad and I can imagine how happy we were to be there!
Arriving at our hotel in Santiago was an easy cab ride through the rain and we have a great room. We quickly regrouped and went out in search of an old Celtic Pub that was over in old town by the Cathedral...or so we thought! After circling the same cobblestone area many times we asked for some help and were told. "Of course, just turn right and it makes a corner". What??? Well after four rights and us making a square and still not finding it we stopped for an espresso to gather our strength!
Determined, wet and not giving up, we are O'Neils afterall, we ask another person who gives us much better directions and finally find what we're looking for. Closed with a tiny plaque, a plaque that we had walked by about 4 times already!!
Satisfied that we had at least achieved our goal of finding the pub we moved on to a tasty doner kebab for lunch then returned to the hotel for our siesta and to dry out. I fear we may be having a pretty wet camino but good stories either way!
The second picture is of a fountain near the cathedral as we stopped to wait out a downpour!
Today (Tuesday) we woke up early and got to the airport for our flight to Santiago de Compostela. Thankfully only an hour flight because the seats had the opposite of leg room, a lack of air, and plentiful B.O. So clearly those of you know Dad and I can imagine how happy we were to be there!
Arriving at our hotel in Santiago was an easy cab ride through the rain and we have a great room. We quickly regrouped and went out in search of an old Celtic Pub that was over in old town by the Cathedral...or so we thought! After circling the same cobblestone area many times we asked for some help and were told. "Of course, just turn right and it makes a corner". What??? Well after four rights and us making a square and still not finding it we stopped for an espresso to gather our strength!
Determined, wet and not giving up, we are O'Neils afterall, we ask another person who gives us much better directions and finally find what we're looking for. Closed with a tiny plaque, a plaque that we had walked by about 4 times already!!
Satisfied that we had at least achieved our goal of finding the pub we moved on to a tasty doner kebab for lunch then returned to the hotel for our siesta and to dry out. I fear we may be having a pretty wet camino but good stories either way!
The second picture is of a fountain near the cathedral as we stopped to wait out a downpour!
And we're off!
Big thanks to Nena for waking up early to take dad and I to SFO!
We are through security and at our gate for our first leg to Newark. Everyone think good thoughts about us getting to our connector, we have 45 minutes to catch the red eye to Madrid.
Despite neurotic concerns of overweight bags all were right around or under 30lbs
Money belts on, Europe here we come!
p.s. Happy Birthday Jamie!
We are through security and at our gate for our first leg to Newark. Everyone think good thoughts about us getting to our connector, we have 45 minutes to catch the red eye to Madrid.
Despite neurotic concerns of overweight bags all were right around or under 30lbs
Money belts on, Europe here we come!
p.s. Happy Birthday Jamie!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
On the road again...almost
I leave tomorrow with my dad to do the last section of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. I think we're as ready as we're gonna be and for that matter more ready than I have ever been for a trip. That doesn't stop the nerves but that's ok.
I've packed less for this trip of 12 days than I normally do for a weekend, but I just keep thinking my sister would be proud!
First stop Madrid via Newark then on to Santiago where we make our way to meet up with the group that we are walking with in Sarria - the walking starts Wednesday! Keep my feet in your thoughts!
Dad got the garage cleaned out and the car in, which I'm pretty sure mom never expected to happen and we head to the airport tomorrow morning!
I've packed less for this trip of 12 days than I normally do for a weekend, but I just keep thinking my sister would be proud!First stop Madrid via Newark then on to Santiago where we make our way to meet up with the group that we are walking with in Sarria - the walking starts Wednesday! Keep my feet in your thoughts!
Dad got the garage cleaned out and the car in, which I'm pretty sure mom never expected to happen and we head to the airport tomorrow morning!
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